Level 11 has now been handed over, marking a major milestone in the remediation programme. Recent works included ceiling reinstatement, painting, carpet installation, and commissioning of services. Ministry of Justice contractors are undertaking AV, ITC, and security installations this week, and the floor will be fully operational shortly.

Level 5 remains on track to be completed mid-September. Ceiling reinstatement and floor coverings are underway, with framing and lining of meeting rooms about to begin. Carpet tile installation is scheduled in the coming fortnight. 

Looking ahead, LT McGuinness will take possession of Level 12 mid-September, marking the start of the next phase of works. 

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we work to improve the safety and functionality of the Auckland District Court.

Work across the Auckland District Court continues to progress well, with several key milestones reached and more underway.

A Building Consent was lodged with Auckland Council drawing a close to an intensive 12-month period of consultation and engagement to develop the design and construction methodology for work in the Podium.

Level 6, 10, and Level 13 (rooftop plant) are complete and have been handed back for full use. Cable remediation and distribution board replacements are ongoing with disruption carefully managed.

Level 11 remains active, with ceiling grid installation underway, seismic bracing progressing, and passive fire protection works ongoing. Ceiling reinstatement is expected to begin shortly, followed by plumbing upgrades and wall finishing. While this work is largely contained, some access restrictions may be noticeable in nearby areas.

Level 5 is currently undergoing demolition of ceilings and walls, along with service isolations and rerouting. Over the coming weeks, structural supports will be installed, and new walls and meeting rooms will begin to take shape. This floor remains a construction zone, and access is restricted to authorised personnel only.

Work will continue throughout August on Levels 5 and 11, with a focus on completing ceiling reinstatements, fire protection upgrades, and plumbing installations. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we work to improve the safety and functionality of the Auckland District Court.

The Auckland District Court building continues to undergo significant transformation, aimed at enhancing the working environment for staff and visitors. Over recent months, several floors have reached key milestones. Construction has now been completed on the basement, ground level, Level 4, Level 8 and Level 6, which was handed back at the end of June. Level 13 is tracking toward handover shortly, and Level 10 remains on schedule for completion by mid-July.

Work on Level 11 is also progressing well and is now in its third week. Activities include demolition of the ceiling grid, scanning and drilling of concrete beams, service isolation and rerouting, and installation of seismic bracketry. A cantilevered scaffold design for the Level 11 balcony is also in progress.

As each floor is completed, staff relocations—known as decanting—are carefully coordinated to allow construction to begin on the next floor without disrupting court operations. Preparations are now underway for upcoming move on Level 5, with work expected to start mid-July. These transitions are being managed to ensure minimal impact on day-to-day activities.

Alongside construction, design and planning work is progressing for future upgrades. Detailed designs are being finalised for improvements to fire safety and air quality systems, which will help bring the building up to modern standards and reduce the risk of future disruptions.

Some upgrades have already made a noticeable difference. New carpet tiles, kitchenette improvements, and mould remediation have been completed on Levels 8 and 9, improving both comfort and cleanliness for staff working in those areas.

Some of the planned changes at the Auckland District Court are linked to work being done at the North Shore District Court. Planning is underway to ensure both projects align smoothly. The overall upgrade remains on track for completion in 2028. While that may seem a long way off, each stage is carefully planned to deliver lasting improvements that will benefit everyone who uses the building.

Work on the Auckland District Court building is progressing well, with several areas nearing completion and new improvements underway. Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening and what’s coming up.

What’s Been Happening

• Level 6 is now complete and ready for handover. The team finished all the construction and safety checks ahead of schedule, so the space can now be officially handed over and occupied.
• Level 10 has moved from demolition to rebuilding. Strengthening work is halfway done, and a new water system is being installed. The team has started smoothing and repainting the walls, and the new ceiling framework will be going in shortly.
• Level 13 (Plant Room) had a successful crane lift in April to bring in a new air handling unit. The old unit is being removed, and the new one is being connected. This work is progressing well and is also expected to wrap up in early June.

What’s Coming Up

Here’s what to expect in the next few weeks:

• Handover of Level 6 and relocation of staff into the new Registry area.
• Continued progress on Level 10, including ceiling installation, wall painting, and system connections.
• Ongoing mechanical work on Level 13, including testing and compliance checks
  

Here’s a quick video update on the mahi underway this month as part of the Auckland District Court - Seismic Remediation Project.

Courtroom Conversion on Level 8
We’ve just completed a key milestone—converting an office space on Level 8 into a fully functioning courtroom. This helps keep things moving on the justice delivery front while other spaces are under construction.

Level 13 – Roof Plant Upgrades
On the roof, we’ve successfully craned in major air handling units as part of the building services upgrade. These are crucial for the improved HVAC system that’ll support the entire facility long-term.

Level 6 – Fit-Out Phase Begins
Following seismic strengthening and ceiling removal, we’re now kicking off the fit-out work on Level 6. This includes framing, services installation, and preparing the space for handover.

Level 10 – Demolition in Full Swing
Level 10 is currently in active demolition mode, with teams working overnight to minimise disruption. This work sets the stage for the next round of seismic and services upgrades.

Shift Coordination
To keep pace, we’re running up to three shifts across the day and night—noisy work happens overnight, quieter prep during the day, and a “shoulder shift” bridges the two.

Coming up next: work will start on Level 5 and Level 9 as we keep the momentum going.

Work on two additional floors commenced this month, with the Level 6 Registry and Level 13 plant room now undergoing seismic strengthening.

We were recently able to reopen Level 8 for use. The images below show the fit-out, where the new joinery, flooring, ceiling, and lighting are the only signs that strengthening work has been carried out on this floor.

In April, work is expected to begin on the Level 10 courtrooms, with clearance of this level currently underway.

Click here to see more before and after images. 

Work on Level 8 is on track to be completed this month, with the new walls and ceiling being installed and AV equipment set for installation and testing soon. A mock-up of the new joinery for Hearing Room 8.4 was also approved by a Judge representative and is now in construction. Level 8 is expected to be operational again in early March.

Level 6 is the next to undergo the remediation process, with the temporary relocation of staff and removal of furniture to be completed by the end of this month.

The offsite fitouts and relocation of selected staff and users from the Auckland District Court building has been completed. This has allowed the project team to make significant progress on the fourth floor of the building, the first to be completed as part of the project. Strengthening work is also nearing completion on the stairwells and other back of house areas around the building.

On the podium roof, work to establish site facilities for the contractors has now been completed, with a temporary deck installed to make it a suitable working area, and access established from Kingston Street with hoists going up the side of the building.

LT McGuinness has now set up its site access on the very narrow Kingston Street, which runs alongside the building. From here personnel will be able to make their way up to the building’s podium level, where the materials that will be used can also be hoisted up to.

Why is the work necessary?
In 2017, a New Building Standard (NBS) was introduced in New Zealand. Many buildings of this age require seismic strengthening to meet an acceptable level of the NBS.

What is actually taking place?
Additional steelwork will be added to the building to strengthen walls and floors, and the connections between them. To do this, we may need to remove and reinstate part of the ceiling, ventilation ducts, pipes and anything else that may currently be in the way. The construction work is likely to take place over a three-year period from the middle of 2024.

How will I be affected by this work?
We will aim to do everything practicable to minimise inconvenience to you. The building will need to be decanted floor-by-floor, so you will be asked to move temporarily while the work takes place in your areas. We will develop a work plan and liaise with all the relevant building user groups over the proposed timing.

Will this be noisy or will there be vibration?
All loud or vibrating work will be undertaken outside of business hours. We want to do everything practicable to minimise disruption to you.

Where will work start?
We are still finalising the proposed timeline. We’ll liaise with the building user groups and come back to you once we have a clear indication. We will aim to begin construction around April/May next year.

How will I be kept up to date on progress?We will provide regular email updates on progress and this web page will have the most current information. We will also provide an email address and phone numbers (below) for key project people that you will be able to contact at any time.

What if there is an issue with the project at any stage that impacts my work?
You will be able to email or phone a senior project person. In addition to the email updates and website, we will put a small poster on notice boards with contact details.

If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please contact:
Rhett Calvert, Senior Project Manager,
Ph: 027 450 4893.
Email: rhett.calvert@raupaenga.co.nz